The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-07-09
BULLFINCHES AS PETS.
Devotion With Which They Become At
tached to Their Owners.

taehed to Their Owners.
There is no animal with which am
acquainted, not even that ''friend OF
man." the dog, that forms so firm, so
| devoted, so tender an attachment for
| its master or mistress as the bullfinch
the naturally shy and wood-loving
bullfnch, that almost dies of terror
when first caught, but becomes more
readily reconciled to captivity than any
bird know.
A word, however, to my readers here:
do not buy one of these too charming
birds unless you have leisure and love
enough to make it your companion, to
keep it on your study table or in your
boudoir, talk to it, whistle to it, feed it
with tidbits, and teach it to love you.
Whom you have won its confidence,
which, with gtntle perseverance on
your part, will not tske long, your care
and attention will be more than re-
warded by the empreSSemenI with which
it will greet your return from your
business or your pleasure; it will hop
'AON IL w Jilt uOOk VI lllC CdO6 as SOOu
as it sees you enter the room, and in
vite you with the most fascinating Of
bows to let it out and perch upon your
finger, where it will talk to you in its
sweetest tones, and rub IFS dear black
velvet poll against your cheek or on
your hand, purring the while with the
purest and most unalloyed pleasure. 1t
will even try to feed you, and instead
of feeling offended and annoyed one
lady who wrote Co me used the word
'disgusted by this profoundest mark
of its affection, feel cofrespondingly
grateful, and bless your stars that you
have indeed friend, one who would
die for you, and will, too, if you are
cruel enough or thoughtless enough to
slight it or forget it.
] do not say that there are no other
birds capable of becoming devotedly
attached to their owners, but do at
firm that not one of them equals the
bullfinch in this respect. True, have
known parrots that displayed quite
romantic affection for their master or
mistress, and yet, when parted from
them, sulked perhaps for few days,
but in the end accepted accomplished
facts, and, acting upon the advice of
the poet, when they could not be near
the dear ones they loved, made love to
those VINO we've near, which, under the
circumstances, was doubtless the most
sensible thing they could do. But
BULLY" is compact of far other clay,
and again entreat my reader not to
buy him unless they mean to love him,
for to neglect him is to torture him,
and most cruelty kill him, too.
What a pretty bird he is! and yet
some writers have described him as
ciumsily made. Fie upon them! Can
any thing be more symmetrical than his
form, or more quietly beautiful than
the varied tints of his many-colored
coat, or, should say, costume? Velvety
black and loSy red and delicate lavender
gray form a charming combination of
colors, not one of which is obtrusive OF
kills" another, as the ladies say, but
is rather enhanced by the rest, the three
different shades forming toul-enSe'n6Ie
that is simply perfect.
A newly captured bullfnch may be
purchased for three OF tour shillings,
but one that has been tanned AID edu-
Gated will often be sold for twenty
pounds, and 1 have no hesitation in
saying that it is worth the money if it
is like one dear bird l once possessed,
that was as loving, sensible ard accom-
rlished as bird could be. | hope that
he was happy while he cslled me mas
ter, and believe he was; at least
know that he preferred my society to
that of a lady of his own species, who
was quite beauty in her Way, and a
very clever little thing TO boot: but he
endured her, nothing more, and never
saw him kiss her once all the time they
lived together, though he would have
led and carcssed me all day long if |
would allow him-Dr. W. T. Greene,
IN Ha,per's Magazine.